MULTIPLE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE INDEXING OF NON- FERMENTING GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI

Objective: The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexing and finding Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria will help to indicate the origin from high risk of contamination where the antibiotics are often used. Hence this study was carried out to give the MAR index of non-fermenting Gram negative bacilli in a tertiary care hospital which would help our infection control team also.Methods: Drug resistance was tested by Kirby bauer's disc diffusion method. MAR index was calculated using the formula, a/b (were a= number of antibiotics to which the organism was resistant and b= total number of antibiotics to which the organism was tested).Results: Out of 240 Gram negative non-fermenters isolated, 117 (49%) strains were greater than 0.2 of MAR index, 95(81%) was from in-patient department. 73(62%) were hospitalized for more than 3 days, 44 (38%) was from surgery department. 49(42%) was wound specimen. Out of 117 multiple antibiotic resistant isolates 99 (85%) were MDR isolates.Conclusion: 51% prevalence of isolates >0.2 MAR index shows that the source of contamination can still be brought up down by proper surveillance and management with proper usage of  surface and skin disinfectants especially in surgery ward where the MAR index has indicated more usage of antibiotic

PRE AND POST EXPOSURE ANALYSIS OF CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE’S EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF STETHOSCOPES

Objective: The present study is to assess the effectiveness of chlorhexidinegluconate as a disinfectant for the stethoscope diaphragm, to survey the routine practices followed by health care professionals (HCPs) towards stethoscope disinfection and to ascertain their general awareness on the matter. Methods: Questionnaire-based study conducted to assess the degree of awareness and attitude of HCPs towards stethoscope disinfection procedures. 200 responses were obtained and analyzed. Randomized, blind trial comparing bacterial load of stethoscope post-exposure to chlorhexidinegluconate vs. ethyl alcohol. The swabs collected from stethoscope diaphragm before and after exposure to disinfectant, were cultured using spread plate technique on nutrient agar. CFU count was compared. Results: Out of 200, nearly all HCPs part of this study were aware that stethoscopes could be linked to transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) but only 78.5% (157) were accustomed to stethoscope disinfection practices. Although only 13.5% (27/200) of participants believed that chlorhexidinegluconate was effective, this study found it to be highly efficacious against bacterial recontamination. Conclusion: We stress upon the importance of regular disinfection of the stethoscope after each use and encourage frequent cleaning of the device with chlorhexidinegluconate, which may reduce bacterial recontamination for a longer period

BIOFILM FORMATION AND QUORUM SENSING ANALYSIS OF UROPATHOGENIC MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE ESCHERICHIA COLI

Objective: Escherichia coli (E. coli) are gram-negative facultative anaerobes which are commonly found in the lower intestine. Biofilm production in E. coli promotes colonization and leads to an increase rate of infections, and such infections may be difficult to treat as they exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR). Methods: 50 strains of uropathogenic E. coli were collected from Clinical Microbiology laboratory at Saveetha medical college and hospital for a time period of 3 mo. Strains were identified by conventional biochemical methods. Biofilm formation and quorum sensing analysis were performed by the Microtitre plate method and Thin Layer Chromatography method (TLC), respectively. Results: In this study, 46 (92%) of E. coli strains were strong, 3(6%) were intermediate and 1(2%) were weak biofilm producers. From TLC analysis, 34 (68%) of the strains produced Acyl Homoserine Lactone molecules. Out of which, 16 isolates were shown unknown analytes of Retardation factor (Rf) value greater than 1. The Rf values identified were 3 unsubstituted C4 (5), 3 unsubstituted C6 (3), 3 oxo C8 (3), 3 oxo C4 (4), 3 oxo C6 (2), 3 oxo C1 (1). Conclusion: In this study, 100% of isolates were biofilm producers. Of which 18 strains produced known Acyl Homoserine Lactone molecules and 16 isolates produced unknown analytes. Thus, quorum sensing molecules plays a major role in biofilm formation

A high performance three-phase telecom supply incorporating a HF switched mode rectifier with a phase shifted PWM controller

Telecom supplies need to conform to low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and high Power Factor (PF) as per IEC 61000-3-2 and IEEE 519-1992 standards. These high rating power supplies use a three phase utility in which low THD and high PF are realized via various passive and active wave shaping schemes. In this paper, a new design for three phase telecom power supplies is presented with circuit parameter values optimized for high performance in terms of a low THD, high PF, low ripple and high line and load regulation using a suitable combination of various strategies. The performance of the power supply is validated by extensive simulations

Impact of soaking, sprouting on antioxidant and anti-nutritional factors in millet grains

Commonly consumed millet types viz., Little millet, foxtail millet, pearl millet, finger millet, and Kodo millet were tested under two processing methods of soaking and germination at a different time point. Most popular processing practices adopted by Indian households were studied for their influence on the biochemical properties, antioxidant profile, and anti-nutritive factors. The results showed that the sprouting process showed a maximum influence on the antioxidant and anti-nutritive factors. The comparative analysis of the five millets suggested 24h soaking and 24h germination was found to be best for producing nutritionally enriched millet products. Tannin content decreases with an increase in germination. The reduction in tannin was about 50% in little millet (0.347 mg/g) and the highest was recorded in finger millet (2.07 mg/g). The highest amount of saponin content was found in pearl millet( 39.53 mg/g) followed by finger millet ( 34.86 mg/g) with 24 hr soaking and  24 hr germination. The phytase activity was found to be higher in little millet (61.520 u/kg) when prolonged soaking and germination. The DPPH assay showed sprouted foxtail millet grains contain more antioxidant activity (81.13%) when extent the period of soaking and germination

COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA SEEDS AGAINST AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

Objective: To compare the antibacterial activity of prosopisjuliflora seed extract against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted for 6 mo in the clinical microbiology laboratory of SMCH. Agar cup diffusion technique is used to isolate the strains of Clostridium perfringens ATCC 3624, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherechiacoli ATCC 25922. The prosopisjulifloraseeds are collected from the saveetha medical college. Results: By performing the research with proper guidance it is observed that all the three bacterias–Staphylococcus aureus, Escherechia coli, Clostridium perfringens showed sensitivity to prosopisjulifloraseed extract. Conclusion: Due to its vast antibacterial activity it can be used along with other antibiotics to increase its efficacy. This is used for the treatment of infectious diseases

COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF GARLIC AGAINST AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

Objective: To compare the antibacterial activity of garlic against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Methods: Antimicrobial activity of garlic is performed by Agar cup diffusion technique for 3 bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and clostridium perfringens. Results: By performing the technique with proper guidance, it is observed that the Staphylococcus aureus specimen shows sensitivity to garlic whereas the other two specimens Escherichia coli and clostridium perfringens doesn’t show any sensitivity to garlic. Conclusion: Due to its vast antibacterial activity of garlic, it can be used along with other antibiotics to increase its efficiency

QUORUM SENSING ANALYSIS AND EFFECT OF BACTERIOCIN IN CONTROLLING THE BIOFILM FORMATION OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the commonest causative agent of Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI). Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa towards disinfectants and antibiotics is high when compared to other organisms. There are various reviews on antibacterial effect of herbal extracts and nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, this study aims to prove the effectiveness of bacteriocin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which may help in benefiting the health care center by replacing normal disinfectants. Methods: 100 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from different patients, with a study period of 6 mo. Ammonium sulfate precipitation method was used to extract bacteriocin and its efficiency was checked by paper disc diffusion assay. Biofilm formation assay and quorum sensing analysis was performed by Microtitre plate methods and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), respectively. Results: In this study, 91%of P. aeruginosa strains were strong, 8% were intermediate, and 1% were weak biofilm producers. From TLC analysis, 67% of the strains produced Acyl Homoserine Lactone molecules. Out of which, 49% has shown unknown analytes of Retardation factor (Rf) value greater than 1. The Rf values identified were 3 unsubstitutedC4 (5%), 3 unsubstituted C6 (4%), 3 oxo C8 (3%), 3 oxo C4 (3%), 3 oxo C6 (2%), 3 oxo C1 (1%). Biofilm production, before and after bacteriocin exposure, was proved significant by paired t-test. Conclusion: Quorum sensing was confirmed to play a major role in biofilm formation. As bacteriocin was found to be effective in controlling the biofilm formation, it can be incorporated in any disinfectant, which helps in controlling the transmission of infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF PROSOPIS JULIFLORA AGAINST AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the antibacterial effectiveness of the leaf extract of Prosopis juliflora against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and the objectives include maintaining the culture of Clostridium perfringens ATCC 3624, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, E. coli ATCC 25922 and to obtain an extract from the leaves of Prosopis juliflora by water extraction method. Agar cup diffusion testing is carried out to test the effectiveness of the extracted herb against the isolated strains of the above-mentioned bacteria. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 mo in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at SMCH. Extract from the leaves of Prosopis juliflora was collected by a water extraction method. Isolation of Clostridium perfringens (from RCMB), Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were done, following which the agar cup diffusion method was performed in which the collected extracts were placed as discs in the agar plate which had been inoculated with the strains of the isolated bacteria. The agar plate was then incubated anaerobically. Agar cup diffusion method is considered as a primary method to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of the bacteria. Results: The leaf extract of Prosopis juliflora was found to be effective against both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial strains. Conclusion: Based on the work, the effectiveness of Prosopis juliflora was determined and the mechanism of susceptibility was identified. With future research works in the field, many such natural herbal extracts can be proven to be effective against many pathogenic microorganisms

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF MORBIDITY PROFILE AMONG WOMEN’S DURING PREGNANCY AT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE IN THIRUMAZHASAI

In most developing countries, pregnancy and childbirth are accepted as normal events of life and it is not surprising that problems associated with pregnancy are also accepted. In developing countries interventions that are known to be effective in reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity are not universally provided. Objectives: Assess the prevalence of morbidity profile in selected demographic variables of antenatal mothers. Methodology: Descriptive research design was chosen to assess the prevalence of morbidity profile among women’s during pregnancy in primary health care center in Thirumazhasai. The study was conducted in primary health centre in thirumazhasai. In this study population refers to all the antenatal mothers attending the antenatal clinic in the primary health care centre in thirumazhasai. The sample size was 60 antenatal mothers. Non-probability, convenient sampling technique was used. Result: Frequency and percentage distribution of the demographic variables among antenatal mothers. It shows that out of 60 samples, among 12 (20%) were in the age group of below 19 years, 39 (65%)were in the age group of 20-30 years, 9 (15%) were in the age group of above 30 years, 32 (53%) were primi gravida, 32 (53%) were got marriage below 19 years. Assess the prevalence of morbidity profile among women’s during pregnancy period. It shows that the prevalence of morbidity profile among women’s during pregnancy among 60 samples has an obstetric problems, 44 (73%) has anemia, 20 (33%) has increased blood pressure, 17 (28%) has diabetes mellitus, 3 (5%) has seizure during pregnancy, 3 (5%) has cord prolapse, 3 (5%) has premature labor, 9 (15%) has hydraminos, 2 (3%) has ectopic pregnancy. It shows the prevalence of morbidity profile among women’s during pregnancy among 60 samples has an non-obstetric problems, 52 (87%) has tenderness and swollen of breast, 59 (98%) has nausea, 59 (98%) has vomiting, 59 (98%) has fatigue and giddiness, 57 (95%) has a headache, 59 (98%) has increased urination